Stent Delivery Device

ABSTRACT

A stent delivery device has a handle and a sliding body, the sliding body is slidable with respect to the handle. The handle has a grip and a guide. The sliding body has at least two flange portions extending from the sliding body. The flange portions are offset from one another along the length of the sliding body. The operator can thereby deploy a relatively long stent by first gripping the nearest flange portion and pulling the sliding body toward the handle; subsequently, the operator can reposition his/or finger on the next-nearest flange portion and continue deployment of the stent by pulling the sliding body further toward the handle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/672,068, filed Jul. 16, 2012, the entire contents ofwhich are herein incorporated by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various types of stents and stent deployment devices are known in theart. In particular, stents of the self-expanding and balloon expandablevarieties and devices for deploying such stents are used to repair bloodvessels, arteries, fluid passages, airways, gastrointestinal tracts, andother bodily lumens.

In some instances, it is desirable to use a stent that is relativelylong, for example 100 mm in length. Relatively long stents can be moredifficult to deploy than their shorter counterparts. Additionally,delivery devices requiring two hands to operate can be cumbersome.Consequently, there remains a need for a stent delivery device that iscapable of effectively delivering relatively long stents to body lumens.There further remains a need for such a delivery device that can beoperated with a single hand.

The art referred to and/or described above is not intended to constitutean admission that any patent, publication or other information referredto herein is “prior art” with respect to this invention. In addition,this section should not be construed to mean that a search has been madeor that no other pertinent information as defined in 37 C.F.R. §1.56(a)exists.

All US patents and applications and all other published documentsmentioned anywhere in this application are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

Without limiting the scope of the invention a brief summary of some ofthe claimed embodiments of the invention is set forth below. Additionaldetails of the summarized embodiments of the invention and/or additionalembodiments of the invention may be found in the Detailed Description ofthe Invention below.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In some embodiments, a stent delivery device comprises a handle and asliding body. The handle has a grip, a guide, and a protruding member.Further, the handle defines a cavity and the protruding member extendsinto the cavity. The sliding body comprises a guide surface. The slidingbody further comprises a plurality of flange portions. In someembodiments, the flange portions are longitudinally offset from oneanother. The guide surface is slidably engaged to the guide and thesliding body is slidable over the protruding member.

In some embodiments, the guide defines a channel. Moreover, in someembodiments, the sliding body comprises a ridge and the ridge has aguide surface thereon.

In some embodiments, the guide comprises a ridge and the sliding bodydefines a channel. In some embodiments, the channel further defines aguide surface.

In some embodiments, the handle comprises a first guide and a secondguide and the sliding body comprises a first ridge and a second ridge.The first ridge is slidably engaged to the first guide and the secondridge is slidably engaged to the second guide.

In some embodiments, the first ridge is opposed the second ridge.

In some embodiments, the sliding body defines a cavity and theprotruding member is insertable into the cavity.

In some embodiments, the protruding member defines a hole extendingtherethrough.

In some embodiments, the sliding body has two flange portions.

In some embodiments, the sliding body has four flange portions.

In some embodiments, two of the flange portions are longitudinallyoffset from the other two flange portions.

In some embodiments, the grip comprises a pistol grip.

In some embodiments, the invention is directed to a delivery device fordelivering a medical implant. The delivery device comprises a handle anda sliding body. The handle comprises a main body, a pistol grip, and apair of arms extending from the main body. In some embodiments, each ofthe arms comprises a guide. In some embodiments, the sliding bodycomprises a plurality of guide surfaces and a plurality of flangeportions. In some embodiments, the flange portions are longitudinallyoffset from one another and the guide surfaces are slidably engaged tothe guides. In some embodiments, the sliding body defines a first holeextending therethrough and the handle defines a second hole extendingtherethrough. The first and second holes have a common longitudinalaxis.

In some embodiments, the handle further comprises a protruding memberand the second hole extends through the protruding member.

In some embodiments, the sliding body defines a cavity and theprotruding member is insertable into the cavity.

In some embodiments, the delivery device has a first configuration and asecond configuration. In the first configuration, the sliding body is ina first position; in the second configuration, the sliding body is in asecond position. The second position is longitudinally offset from thefirst position.

In some embodiments, a delivery device for delivering a medical implantcomprises a handle and a sliding body. In some embodiments, the handledefines a cavity and comprises a grip and at least one guide. The atleast one guide extends from the handle. In some embodiments, thesliding body comprises a body portion and a plurality of flangeportions. The flange portions extend from the body portion and arelongitudinally offset from one another. In some embodiments, at least aportion of the sliding body is slidable along the at least one guidebetween an extended configuration and a retracted configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a delivery device.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the handle of the delivery device ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the sliding body of the deliverydevice of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4A shows the delivery device of FIG. 1 with the sliding bodypositioned away from the handle.

FIG. 4B shows the delivery device of FIG. 1 with the sliding bodypartially retracted.

FIG. 4C shows the delivery device of FIG. 1 with the sliding body fullyretracted.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the delivery device.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the delivery device.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a delivery device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While this invention may be embodied in many different forms, there aredescribed in detail herein specific embodiments. This description is anexemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intendedto limit it to the particular embodiments illustrated.

For the purposes of this disclosure, like reference numerals in thefigures shall refer to like features unless otherwise indicated.

In at least one embodiment, for example as shown in FIG. 1, a stentdelivery device 10 comprises a handle 12 and a sliding body 14. In someembodiments, the handle comprises a grip 16, a guide 18, and aprotruding member 20. Further, in some embodiments, the sliding body 14comprises a guide surface 22 and a plurality of flange portions 24. Insome embodiments, the sliding body 14 comprises a plurality of guidesurfaces 22.

In some embodiments, the guide surface 22 is slidably engaged to theguide 18 and the sliding body 14 is movable over the protruding member20 such that the protruding member 20 extends into the sliding body 14.

Turning to FIG. 2, in some embodiments, the handle 12 further comprisesa main body 28 and at least one arm 30 extending from the main body 28.As further shown in FIG. 2, in some embodiments, the handle 12 comprisestwo arms 30 extending from the main body 28. Further, the guides 18extend along the at least a portion of the arms 30 and at least aportion of the main body 28. In some embodiments, the guides 18 extendalong the entire length of one or more of the arms 30. In someembodiments, each of the guides 18 defines a channel 32.

In some embodiments, the handle 12 comprises a pistol grip 44. Thepistol grip 44 allows the operator to ergonomically operate and maneuverthe delivery device 10. Although shown in FIG. 2 with the pistol grip44, other suitable configurations are also contemplated. Further, insome embodiments, the pistol grip 44 comprises a soft or tacky coatingor polymer.

With reference to FIG. 3, in some embodiments, the sliding body 14comprises at least one ridge 34. The ridge 34, in turn, comprises theguide surface 22. In some embodiments, the ridge 34 comprises aplurality of guide surfaces 22. As shown in FIG. 3, the ridge 34 hasthree guide surfaces 22; each of the guide surfaces 22 is oriented at aright angle relative to the adjacent guide surface 22. The ridge 34 cancomprise any suitable shape. For example, the ridge 34 can have twoguide surfaces 22, forming a triangular cross-section. Moreover, theridge 34 can have a rounded guide surface 22; the ridge 34 can besemi-circular, ovoid, or take on any other suitable configuration.Further, the ridge 34 can have any suitable number of guide surfaces 22.

In some embodiments, the sliding body 14 comprises a plurality of flangeportions 24 extending therefrom. At least two of the flange portions 24are longitudinally offset from one another. In some embodiments, thesliding body 14 has four flange portions 24, as shown in FIG. 3. Two ofthe flange portions 24 a and 24 b are diametrically opposed to oneanother and longitudinally offset from flange portions 24 c and 24 d,which are also diametrically opposed to one another. Of course, othersuitable configurations, some of which are described in further detailbelow, are also contemplated. The flange portions 24 may be of anysuitable size or shape. In some embodiments, the flange portions 24 maybe sized to provide requisite leverage. The shape of the flange portions24 is, in some embodiments, ergonomic.

In some embodiments, the flange portions 24 extend orthogonally from thesliding body 14, for example as shown in FIG. 3. Other configurationsare also suitable. For example, the flange portions 24 can comprise arounded trigger shape, similar to a firearm trigger. In someembodiments, the flange portions 24 have a concave portion. In someembodiments, the flange portions 24 comprise hoops around which theoperator's fingers can be wrapped.

Turning to FIGS. 4A-4C, an embodiment of the stent delivery device 10 isshown in various stages of retraction. In FIG. 4A, the sliding body 14is positioned away from the handle 12. In FIG. 4B, however, the slidingbody 14 is partially retracted. Finally, in FIG. 4C, the sliding body 14is fully retracted. It will be appreciated that, in some embodiments,the sliding body 14 is attached to a sheath (not shown) which can beoperably retracted to permit deployment of a stent (not shown). Inparticular, the delivery device 10 can be used with relatively longstents, for example up to 100 mm in length. Such stents are deployed intwo steps. First, the operator grasps the proximal flange portions 24 aand 24 b, as shown in FIG. 4A, and retracts the sliding body 14 to theconfiguration shown in FIG. 4B. Thereafter, the operator repositionshis/her fingers onto the distal flange portions 24 c and 24 d andcontinues retracting the sliding body 14 until the stent is fullydeployed and/or the sliding body 14 is fully retracted, as shown in FIG.4C. Depending upon the length of the stent to be deployed, the slidingbody 14 can include any suitable number of flange portions 24. Further,in some embodiments, the delivery device 10 can be operated with onehand, thereby freeing the operator's other hand to perform another task,as necessary.

In some embodiments, the delivery device 10 is used to deliver airwaystents into an airway passage, for example the trachea. In someembodiments, the delivery device is used to deliver a self-expandingstent. Moreover, in some embodiments, the delivery device can be used incombination with snares, ligator bands, sphincterotomes, retrievalbaskets, clips, radiofrequency ablation needles, or any other suitabledevice requiring, for example, delivery or actuation.

Returning to FIG. 3, in some embodiments, the sliding body 14 defines acavity 36 and a through-hole 48. Further, in some embodiments, theprotruding member 20 of the handle 12 extends into the cavity 36 as thesliding body 14 is retracted towards the handle 12. In some embodiments,the protruding member 20 defines a hole 26 extending therethrough. Aguidewire, dilator, or other device (e.g., balloon) (not shown), ispermitted to pass through the hole 26 of the protruding member 20, forthe purpose of guiding a catheter. Further, the guidewire is permittedto pass through the through-hole 48 of the sliding body 14. In someembodiments, the hole 26 of the protruding member 20 and thethrough-hole 48 of the sliding body 14 have a common longitudinal axis.

In some embodiments, the sliding body 14 comprises a body portion 46. Insome embodiments, the proximal flange portions 24 a, 24 b arelongitudinally coterminous with one or more of the guide surfaces 22 andthe body portion 46. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the bodyportion 46 extends distally beyond the distal flange portions 24 c, 24 dand one or more of the guide surfaces 22, for example as shown in FIG.3. Other configurations are also suitable.

Returning to FIG. 2, in some embodiments, the handle 12 comprises twoopposing sides 38 a, 38 b and a back 40. In conjunction, the opposingsides 38 a, 38 b and the back 40 define a pocket 42. Upon fullyretracting the sliding body 14 into the pocket 42, in some embodiments,one or more of the proximal flange portions 24 a, 24 b come into contactwith the back 40. Consequently, in some embodiments, the back 40prevents further retraction of the sliding body 14.

In some embodiments, the handle 12 comprises a frame without walls.Further, in some embodiments, the back 40 is a stop member to preventretraction of the sliding body.

In addition to the foregoing, although the handle 12 of FIG. 2 has twoguides 18 in opposing relationship to one another, it will beappreciated that the handle 12 can have only a single guide 18 or anysuitable number of guides, for example three, four, or more. It willfurther be appreciated that the guide(s) 18 can be arranged in anysuitable location. For example, where a single guide 18 is used, it canbe oriented as shown in FIG. 5.

With regard to FIG. 6, in some embodiments, the sliding body 14 hasflange portions 24 on only one side. In the embodiment of FIG. 6,retraction of the sliding body 14 can be performed using a singlefinger, for example an index finger. Deployment of a stent using theembodiment of FIG. 6 may be carried out in a fashion similar to thatdescribed above with respect to FIGS. 4A-4C, except that the operatorneed only use one finger.

As shown in FIG. 7, in some embodiments, the guide(s) 18 extend(s) intothe pocket 42 and the sliding body 14 has guide surfaces 22 which matewith the guide(s) 18. As further shown in FIG. 7, the guides 18 protrudefrom the arms 30, facing one another. Additionally, in some embodiments,the guide surfaces 22 which mate with the guides 18 are indentationsalong lateral sides of the sliding body 14.

As further shown in FIG. 7, in some embodiments, the guides 18 compriseridges 34. In some embodiments, the ridges 34 are rails. Further, insome embodiments, the sliding body 14 defines a channel 32. In someembodiments, for example as shown in FIG. 7, the channel 32 defines atleast one guide surface 22.

In light of the foregoing, it will be evident to the skilled artisanthat the handle 12 and sliding body 14 can have any suitable interfacesuch that the sliding body 14 moves longitudinally with respect to thehandle 12. In some embodiments, the interface comprises a rail, disposedon the handle 12, sliding body 14, or both. In some embodiments, theinterface further includes a mating surface, to mate with the rail,which is disposed on the sliding body 14, handle 14, or both.

Although the delivery device 10 can be used with relatively long stents,it is not so limited. In this regard, it is capable of delivery shorterstents, as well. In some embodiments, the delivery device deliversstents between 40 mm and 100 mm in length. In some embodiments, however,the delivery device 10 can be used with even longer stents, for exampleiliac artery stents, that are 200 to 300 mm in length. As disclosedpreviously, depending upon the length of the stent to be deployed, thesliding body 14 can include any suitable number of flange portions 24.For example, in some embodiments, the sliding body 14 has three flangeportions 24 that are all longitudinally offset from the others. In someembodiments, the sliding body 14 has four, five, or six flange portions24 that are all longitudinally offset from the others. Further, wherethe sliding body 14 comprises a flange portion 24 on both sides (e.g.,as shown in FIG. 1), the sliding body 14 comprises between 6 and 12flange portions 24.

In some embodiments, the stent delivery device 10 further comprises aratcheting mechanism along a portion of the handle 12 or sliding body14, for example along the guide 18, to advance or lock the sliding body14 in position. Further, in some embodiments, the stent delivery device10 includes a lock to prevent movement of the sliding body 14 relativeto the handle 12.

In some embodiments, a portion of the sliding body 14 or handle 12 iscoated with a material to reduce or increase friction between thesliding components. In some embodiments, a material or coating having ahigh coefficient of friction is used to minimize unintended movement ofthe sliding body 14 relative to the handle 12. In some embodiments, sucha material or coating includes an elastomeric material, silicone, orsimilar material.

In some embodiments, a slippery or hydrophilic coating can be applied toan inner surface of the sheath (not shown) and/or an outer surface of aninner tube (not shown) to reduce friction between the inner tube andsheath during deployment of the stent. Further, in some embodiments, aslippery or hydrophilic material can be applied to an outside surface ofthe sheath (not shown) to reduce friction between the sheath and theduct or vessel in which the sheath is being deployed.

In some embodiments, the stent delivery device 10 has markings (notshown) on the handle 12 to indicate the extent to which the sliding body14 has been retracted.

The above disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive.This description will suggest many variations and alternatives to one ofordinary skill in this art. The various elements shown in the individualfigures and described above may be combined or modified for combinationas desired. All these alternatives and variations are intended to beincluded within the scope of the claims where the term “comprising”means “including, but not limited to”.

Further, the particular features presented in the dependent claims canbe combined with each other in other manners within the scope of theinvention such that the invention should be recognized as alsospecifically directed to other embodiments having any other possiblecombination of the features of the dependent claims. For instance, forpurposes of claim publication, any dependent claim which follows shouldbe taken as alternatively written in a multiple dependent form from allprior claims which possess all antecedents referenced in such dependentclaim if such multiple dependent format is an accepted format within thejurisdiction (e.g. each claim depending directly from claim 1 should bealternatively taken as depending from all previous claims). Injurisdictions where multiple dependent claim formats are restricted, thefollowing dependent claims should each be also taken as alternativelywritten in each singly dependent claim format which creates a dependencyfrom a prior antecedent-possessing claim other than the specific claimlisted in such dependent claim below.

This completes the description of the invention. Those skilled in theart may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiment describedherein which equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the claimsattached hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A stent delivery device comprising: a handlehaving a grip, a guide, and a protruding member, the handle defining acavity, the protruding member extending into the cavity; and a slidingbody comprising a guide surface and a plurality of flange portions, theflange portions longitudinally offset from one another, wherein theguide surface is slidably engaged to the guide and the sliding body isslidable over the protruding member.
 2. The stent delivery device ofclaim 1 wherein the guide defines a channel and the sliding bodycomprises a ridge, the ridge having the guide surface thereon.
 3. Thestent delivery device of claim 1 wherein the guide comprises a ridge andthe sliding body defines a channel, the channel further defining a guidesurface.
 4. The stent delivery device of claim 1, wherein the handlecomprises a first guide and a second guide and the sliding bodycomprises a first ridge and a second ridge, the first ridge slidablyengaged to the first guide and the second ridge slidably engaged to thesecond guide.
 5. The stent delivery device of claim 4, wherein the firstridge is opposite the second ridge.
 6. The stent delivery device ofclaim 1, wherein the sliding body defines a cavity and the protrudingmember is insertable into the cavity.
 7. The stent delivery device ofclaim 1, wherein the protruding member defines a hole extendingtherethrough.
 8. The stent delivery device of claim 1, wherein thesliding body has two flange portions.
 9. The stent delivery device ofclaim 1, wherein the sliding body has four flange portions.
 10. Thestent delivery device of claim 9, wherein two of the flange portions arelongitudinally offset from the other two flange portions.
 11. The stentdelivery device of claim 1, wherein grip comprises a pistol grip.
 12. Adelivery device for delivering a medical implant, the delivery devicecomprising: a handle and a sliding body, the handle comprising a mainbody, a grip, and a pair of arms extending from the main body, each ofthe arms comprising a guide; and a sliding body comprising a pluralityof guide surfaces and a plurality of flange portions, the flangeportions being longitudinally offset from one another and the guidesurfaces slidably engaging the guides, wherein the sliding body definesa first hole extending therethrough and the handle defines a second holeextending therethrough, the first and second holes having a commonlongitudinal axis.
 13. The delivery device of claim 12, wherein thehandle further comprises a protruding member, the second hole extendingthrough the protruding member.
 14. The delivery device of claim 13,wherein the sliding body defines a cavity and the protruding member isinsertable into the cavity.
 15. The delivery device of claim 12 having afirst configuration and a second configuration, in the firstconfiguration the sliding body being in a first position and, in thesecond configuration, the sliding body being in a second position, thesecond position longitudinally offset from the first position.
 16. Adelivery device for delivering a medical implant, the delivery devicecomprising: a handle defining a cavity and comprising a grip and atleast one guide, the at least one guide extending from the handle; and asliding body comprising a body portion and a plurality of flangeportions, the flange portions extending from the body portion and beinglongitudinally offset from one another, wherein at least a portion ofthe sliding body is slidable along the at least one guide between anextended configuration and a retracted configuration.
 17. The deliverydevice of claim 16, wherein the at least one guide comprises two guidesarranged in an opposing relationship.
 18. The delivery device of claim17, wherein the handle further comprises a protruding member extendinginto the cavity between the two guides.
 19. The delivery device of claim18, wherein each of the guides defines a channel and the sliding bodycomprises two ridges, the ridges slidable along the channels.
 20. Thedelivery device of claim 18, wherein the sliding body is slidable overthe protruding member.